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The Male Gaze

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham

In feminism it refers to the way that the arts depict women from a male heterosexual perspective, its voyeuristic, objects to be admired for the aesthetic value.

But the phrase was actually coined by Berger, a little earlier in his great book ways of seeing which I’ve just completed! Now I’m going back through over 300 portraits of women I’ve made in the last two months questioning some of the framing and retouching…

What’s this? A phrase you were familiar with? And I guess question for the women? Do you consciously create profile pictures on here to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?

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By *heron ShanMan
2 weeks ago

Durham

This is a big assumption that all the women want male attention.

You would also rule out woman who are trying to attract females.

Women who simply do it for themselves.

You would also have to start looking at other genders and who they are trying to attract

These kind of statement are simply blank statement from subjective beliefs hence backing up any evidence is generally biased.

Woman and people can't be pigeon holed so easily and there could be a million reason why a woman post the kinds of pictures she does.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
2 weeks ago

East Sussex

Yes I am familiar with the phrase.

Yes we created photographs of me for the male gaze because we were hoping to meet men or couples and we're both straight, the photos of A are designed to appeal to women. However I have to like how I look and there's a certain element of would another straight woman think I looked ok (not necessarily sexually attractive).

I think the photos on here are for a specific purpose. The pictures I put on other SM are quite different and intended to convey a feeling or experience.

I'm not daft I know I've been conditioned since birth to consider the male gaze in most things (it's why I condider carefully what I'll wear in some situations) and despite consciously trying to undo that there's an unaware (can't use the word I want that means my conscious self isn't aware it's happening) element that influences me. However the fact remains that I have to like what I see before I'll allow the male gaze to fall upon it both in person and in photographs

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By *reyToTheFairiesWoman
2 weeks ago

Carlisle usually

There is a vast difference between photos taken with the intent of attracting the male gaze and photos taken with the intent of appealing to women.

It's not saying all men are only interested in sex. But even when aiming for sexy, what works on (a majority of) men is very different to what works on (a majority of) women 💜

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By *agic.MMan
2 weeks ago

Kent/London

I think we all grew up through the perspective of the male gaze...most movies, games, magazines, books, music videos in the 80s/90s were depicted through that lens, and we all have been influenced by it, mostly on a subconscious level. I don't think most women would admit that they are catering to a "male audience" with their content (especially on a site like fab) , but it is an undeniable factor. And as men we are the same really...all those action movies we watched as kids made us see ourselves in the roles of main heroes...I'm the first to admit that I started training in martial arts and lifting weights because I wanted to look (and be) like jean claude van damme... and girls watching these movies saw themselves as the love interest of said heroes. It takes a long time and a lot of mental deconstruction to detach yourself from these influences

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"This is a big assumption that all the women want male attention.

You would also rule out woman who are trying to attract females.

Women who simply do it for themselves.

You would also have to start looking at other genders and who they are trying to attract

These kind of statement are simply blank statement from subjective beliefs hence backing up any evidence is generally biased.

Woman and people can't be pigeon holed so easily and there could be a million reason why a woman post the kinds of pictures she does. "

I really don’t understand the point/s you’re making.

Can you be more coherent in what you are replying to e ply with comments as it seems quite random.

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"There is a vast difference between photos taken with the intent of attracting the male gaze and photos taken with the intent of appealing to women.

It's not saying all men are only interested in sex. But even when aiming for sexy, what works on (a majority of) men is very different to what works on (a majority of) women 💜"

That’s actually a bit of a sexist comment

Well maybe more a generalisation, assuming the majority of men are attracted in the same way and we don’t appreciate the things women do in photographs? Maybe certain demographics it’s truer , but desire and what’s not shown isn’t exclusively a women’s thing.

But that’s the heart of the male gaze, an often un conscious false assumption about what’s attractive in women, that then through repetition, becomes a reality, and is conformed to, even in algorithms photos that conform to male gaze do far better

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"I think we all grew up through the perspective of the male gaze...most movies, games, magazines, books, music videos in the 80s/90s were depicted through that lens, and we all have been influenced by it, mostly on a subconscious level. I don't think most women would admit that they are catering to a "male audience" with their content (especially on a site like fab) , but it is an undeniable factor. And as men we are the same really...all those action movies we watched as kids made us see ourselves in the roles of main heroes...I'm the first to admit that I started training in martial arts and lifting weights because I wanted to look (and be) like jean claude van damme... and girls watching these movies saw themselves as the love interest of said heroes. It takes a long time and a lot of mental deconstruction to detach yourself from these influences "

Yes, media is a massive and powerful influence on behaviour, and for large numbers of people the majority everything is happening at an un concious level

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By *ellinever70Woman
2 weeks ago

Ayrshire

When I first joined here many years ago, I had pictures of me in lingerie and I was fully aware that was to attract and appeal to the male gaze.

After one too many interactions that focused on 'what I would wear for them ' if we were to meet, I deleted my profile and came back minus the lingerie ( the wearing of which, I get absolutely nothing from).

I'm aware that female nudity appeals to the male gaze too, but I no longer have interactions focusing on what kinda 'sexy' attire I'll be wearing

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By *heron ShanMan
2 weeks ago

Durham

In feminism it refers to the way that the arts depict women from a male heterosexual perspective...if its from the perspective of a specific point of view, then its biased and subjective.

But the phrase was actually coined by Berger... so where is the evidence to back this phrase up, generalisation.

Do you consciously create profile pictures on here to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?....pigeon holing the women on here as all being heterosexual and looking to male attention and not taking into account who they are/sexual preferences/reasons for being on here, it could just all be for self gratification.

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"In feminism it refers to the way that the arts depict women from a male heterosexual perspective...if its from the perspective of a specific point of view, then its biased and subjective.

But the phrase was actually coined by Berger... so where is the evidence to back this phrase up, generalisation.

Do you consciously create profile pictures on here to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?....pigeon holing the women on here as all being heterosexual and looking to male attention and not taking into account who they are/sexual preferences/reasons for being on here, it could just all be for self gratification."

Sorry, you have lost me again. It must be me…

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By *r X46Man
2 weeks ago

Liverpool

Fundamentally, men are very visual creatures and enjoy how women look (and other men). This has always has and will always be the case and no amount of social engineering will ever stop it.

However, there is a time and place for a guy to appreciate women. Staring at a woman on the bus and making her feel very uncomfortable is not it.

There are also better ways that artists and men in general can express there love of women and the female form. But let's not give the classic artists of the time too much grief base on modern day sensibilities.

Me, I am a sucker for a pretty face and smile. A quick flask of a stocking top or a well presented pair of knockers also gets the heart racing. I don't ever want to feel that I can have a quick look at a beautiful women

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"When I first joined here many years ago, I had pictures of me in lingerie and I was fully aware that was to attract and appeal to the male gaze.

After one too many interactions that focused on 'what I would wear for them ' if we were to meet, I deleted my profile and came back minus the lingerie ( the wearing of which, I get absolutely nothing from).

I'm aware that female nudity appeals to the male gaze too, but I no longer have interactions focusing on what kinda 'sexy' attire I'll be wearing "

OK but What about individuality, personality or identity ? A pose not designed to invite sexual consumption. I’m not referring to your images by the way I’ve not looked at them but images in general on sites like this.

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By *heron ShanMan
2 weeks ago

Durham


"In feminism it refers to the way that the arts depict women from a male heterosexual perspective...if its from the perspective of a specific point of view, then its biased and subjective.

But the phrase was actually coined by Berger... so where is the evidence to back this phrase up, generalisation.

Do you consciously create profile pictures on here to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?....pigeon holing the women on here as all being heterosexual and looking to male attention and not taking into account who they are/sexual preferences/reasons for being on here, it could just all be for self gratification.

Sorry, you have lost me again. It must be me…"
NO, all women do not consciously create picture simply for heterosexual males.

They may take pictures of themselves for lots of reasons.

Any statement relating to any form of political or social ideal - including a 'coined statement' would need factual evidence and not circumstantial as its only an expression of an idea.

Women are complex individuals who have there own reason for posting pictures which could have nothing to do with heterosexual males.

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By *eliWoman
2 weeks ago

.

Yes, it's a phrase I know. It's been around for longer than I've been alive and I've used it before, in vain, when trying to explain to men why certain photos/ videos are very male gaze and won't generate interest from women in the way they hoped.

I see it a lot in profiles, couples profiles where they're looking for bisexual women primarily but their whole profile, including photos, are very male gaze. I display photos I like. There'll be some subconscious influence because it's prevalent, I'm not immune and I quite like having sex with men, for my sins.

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"In Any statement relating to any form of political or social ideal - including a 'coined statement' would need factual evidence and not circumstantial as its only an expression of an idea.

"

Don’t worry, I’m not trying to launch a new pharmaceutical or change the law

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By *lowupdollTV/TS
2 weeks ago

Here. There.

I find this fascinating. My gaze is I guess different to a hetero one but still i find this fascinating.

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By *r X46Man
2 weeks ago

Liverpool


"Yes, it's a phrase I know. It's been around for longer than I've been alive and I've used it before, in vain, when trying to explain to men why certain photos/ videos are very male gaze and won't generate interest from women in the way they hoped.

I see it a lot in profiles, couples profiles where they're looking for bisexual women primarily but their whole profile, including photos, are very male gaze. I display photos I like. There'll be some subconscious influence because it's prevalent, I'm not immune and I quite like having sex with men, for my sins."

Your photos are absolutely what guys like to see (well me anyway). So you think your pics are also the sort other women like to see and attract other women to message you?

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"Yes, it's a phrase I know. It's been around for longer than I've been alive and I've used it before, in vain, when trying to explain to men why certain photos/ videos are very male gaze and won't generate interest from women in the way they hoped.

"

That’s not male gaze, that’s just being clueless and getting your cock out.

To understand male gaze best look at classic Hollywood films from the 1940s and magazine cover poses. Now show me which man’s profiles look like that

What about boudoir shots

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By *eliWoman
2 weeks ago

.


"Yes, it's a phrase I know. It's been around for longer than I've been alive and I've used it before, in vain, when trying to explain to men why certain photos/ videos are very male gaze and won't generate interest from women in the way they hoped.

I see it a lot in profiles, couples profiles where they're looking for bisexual women primarily but their whole profile, including photos, are very male gaze. I display photos I like. There'll be some subconscious influence because it's prevalent, I'm not immune and I quite like having sex with men, for my sins.

Your photos are absolutely what guys like to see (well me anyway). So you think your pics are also the sort other women like to see and attract other women to message you?"

My pics were uploaded because they are ones I like and have memories attached to happy memories. I've not been looking for women (anyone) or trying to attract them for some time. Unless she's a cute small liberal dork with an undercut, always happy to attract her.

In terms of when I was looking, yeah, I undoubtedly uploaded photos that were very male gaze friendly. Doe eyed, mouth pressed against a groin - that's more male lust. Didn't go down the lip biting route so I wasn't that bad. :D

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By (user no longer on site)
2 weeks ago

I'm familiar.

I want to attract both men and women. I think my gallery (usually, it's bare right now) does a good job at doing that. I post pictures that I like, in a style that it visually appealing to me, but also to the types of people I want to meet.

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By *heron ShanMan
2 weeks ago

Durham

If the arts depict women from a male heterosexual perspective then you are asking women:

"Do you consciously create profile pictures on here to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?"

The two are completely different.

It would be more compelling if you asked male who take picture of their wife, who design the outfits and lighting if they take pictures to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham

This wasn’t meant to be about men versus women or anything like that or even what works for men and what works for women attraction, because that in itself is playing into Male Gaze.

That somehow the two binary sexes / genders are interested in completely different things? . Men only want to see women as objects to look at and women want to see men as mysterious and adventurous or something.

Personally, (I’m a man) and I like to see photographs of women that tell me about the persons character, passion, individuality, sense of humour. I ignore anything like a boudoir shot because the woman has been told to stand like that by somebody else to take a photograph, so I wouldn’t know who she was

If I want porn, I can go to a different website.

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"If the arts depict women from a male heterosexual perspective then you are asking women:

"Do you consciously create profile pictures on here to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?"

The two are completely different.

It would be more compelling if you asked male who take picture of their wife, who design the outfits and lighting if they take pictures to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?

"

You can start your own thread if you like. N an interesting question

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By *xSirenaxxWoman
2 weeks ago

Gloucestershire

As women, we've often been conditioned from a young age to view ourselves through the male gaze. But these days, I wear what I like and present myself in a way that makes me happy. It's about my own comfort, confidence, and self-expression rather than seeking male approval.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
2 weeks ago

East Sussex


"This wasn’t meant to be about men versus women or anything like that or even what works for men and what works for women attraction, because that in itself is playing into Male Gaze.

That somehow the two binary sexes / genders are interested in completely different things? . Men only want to see women as objects to look at and women want to see men as mysterious and adventurous or something.

Personally, (I’m a man) and I like to see photographs of women that tell me about the persons character, passion, individuality, sense of humour. I ignore anything like a boudoir shot because the woman has been told to stand like that by somebody else to take a photograph, so I wouldn’t know who she was

If I want porn, I can go to a different website.

"

It's interesting (to me at least) that you think boudoiresque shots are of women being told how to pose. Quite often I think women will naturally pose in a way that's comfortable and they *they* think is attractive or to hide certain features and emphasise others but as I said above there is nearly always an element of 'will men enjoy this?'

We have a couple of books on boudoir photography and what is really striking is that there are no suggested poses for men 🤔

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By *reyToTheFairiesWoman
2 weeks ago

Carlisle usually


"I ignore anything like a boudoir shot because the woman has been told to stand like that by somebody else to take a photograph, so I wouldn’t know who she was"

Odd. Most boudoir shoots I've done have only involved specific direction when requested. I'll suggest a few poses to people if they're struggling for what to do with themselves, but mostly it's about helping them relax into it and seeing which shots they're liking best along the way 💜

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"I ignore anything like a boudoir shot because the woman has been told to stand like that by somebody else to take a photograph, so I wouldn’t know who she was

Odd. Most boudoir shoots I've done have only involved specific direction when requested. I'll suggest a few poses to people if they're struggling for what to do with themselves, but mostly it's about helping them relax into it and seeing which shots they're liking best along the way 💜"

Maybe you went to a good photographer, but most have a handful of repeated cliche poses

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
2 weeks ago

East Sussex

I do think that a lot of men assume that women are doing everything for the male gaze. These guys are able to turn anything sexual or see any action as a woman trying to attract their attention.

Wearing makeup or padded bras being described as 'false advertising' by blokes comes from the assumption that we're doing it for their benefit for instance

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By *eliWoman
2 weeks ago

.


"To understand male gaze best look at classic Hollywood films from the 1940s and magazine cover poses. Now show me which man’s profiles look like that

What about boudoir shots "

It's the male lense on sexuality. On what appeals to them, so should appeal to others. I understand the origins of the term, the idea of women being seen as passive and for man's lust/penis rather than their own being with thoughts beyond what hole will be filled. I was talking about it on a site like this, how it affects more than just women. Like the poster above when he said about the 80s blah blah and how absorption of the male gaze can play out.

We're not always aware of it, are we? I've been sent photos of women's hairy muffs before (non-consensually). I doubt the men who sent them were thinking of how great her personality is, what a beautiful passion for life she has etc.

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By *oodmessMan
2 weeks ago

yumsville


"

What’s this? A phrase you were familiar with? And I guess question for the women? Do you consciously create profile pictures on here to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?"

No doubt people do as people want attention, though I doubt anyone (as a norm) consciously creates pics to play into what someone else might like - it's usually what looks good I'd think.

We all consciously and subconsciously do things from externally influence - whether that's from men or women, whether we know it or not, if we didn't we'd be walking around in bin bags and not bathing for a month and calling it good.

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"]

We have a couple of books on boudoir photography and what is really striking is that there are no suggested poses for men 🤔"

Yes, it’s a strong example of male gaze.

Typically it’s designed for a heterosexual male viewer, body presented primarily as something to be looked at, the subject has very little power, she is posed, the lighting is then controlled & clothing chosen to maximise visual appeal of skin, - shadows on breasts to exaggerate shape, skin is then retouched to remove blemishes and make it appear soft.

Because the poses and retouching all come from a playbook, , it takes away the individuality of the subject and turns into an object for visual consumption by generic men.

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By *vaRoseWoman
2 weeks ago

Ankh-Morpork

[Removed by poster at 29/07/26 11:42:42]

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By *vaRoseWoman
2 weeks ago

Ankh-Morpork

Yes but also no

And I’m going to ramble so - fuck it

I’m aware of the male gaze. I’m also aware that some of the more graphic types of images are among the most popular here. I don’t post those.

I like photos that appeal to me first and foremost, and will (I hope) appeal to a more discerning palate. Do I do it because I like the attention? Yup, do I take them for that reason alone? Nope.

Being aware of the male gaze doesn’t mean I conform to its lowest common denominator, I’m not looking for attention from those men.

Fuck this doesn’t make sense but I know what I’m trying to say. Sorry.

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By *heron ShanMan
2 weeks ago

Durham

You are using the example from a female feminism and how this view a male perspective but yet you ask the female of why they post the picture.

If its based from a male perspective you should ask them if not ask the question from a feminist point of view. If they agree with this.

Otherwise just as a simple question: "As a female for you post picture to garner male.....

If you don't like response then don't pose a question on a forum.

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By *a LunaWoman
2 weeks ago

Wales

I suppose I have been guilty of taking photos to attract the male gaze.

But mostly I was just trying to be arty farty and the male gaze hook was secondary.

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By *ensuallover1000Man
2 weeks ago

Somewhere In The Ether…

This has been a really interesting read - thank you OP (and all contributors) 😃

I must admit that I had never previously heard of the term.

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"You are using the example from a female feminism and how this view a male perspective but yet you ask the female of why they post the picture.

If its based from a male perspective you should ask them if not ask the question from a feminist point of view. If they agree with this.

Otherwise just as a simple question: "As a female for you post picture to garner male.....

If you don't like response then don't pose a question on a forum. "

Technically it came from Berger a few years earlier.

Don't forget a lot of the creative directors, editors and decision-makers in arts and media post Hollywood were women.

And it's not simply as you say, do you post picture to garner male, do you create images because society / media taught you what is considered attractive, desirable, or valuable to men.

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"This has been a really interesting read - thank you OP (and all contributors) 😃

I must admit that I had never previously heard of the term."

Read ways of seeing by Berger. He explain this much better than the feminist only perspective in my opinion.. he treats her as a much bigger picture of how we view images

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By *veragecouple2000Couple
2 weeks ago

South Wales

I would say yes I do post pics for the male gaze as the point of being here is to attract men. However, I do have to actually like the pic myself and quite often my husband and I will like very different pics xx 😘

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
2 weeks ago

East Sussex


"]

We have a couple of books on boudoir photography and what is really striking is that there are no suggested poses for men 🤔

Yes, it’s a strong example of male gaze.

Typically it’s designed for a heterosexual male viewer, body presented primarily as something to be looked at, the subject has very little power, she is posed, the lighting is then controlled & clothing chosen to maximise visual appeal of skin, - shadows on breasts to exaggerate shape, skin is then retouched to remove blemishes and make it appear soft.

Because the poses and retouching all come from a playbook, , it takes away the individuality of the subject and turns into an object for visual consumption by generic men.

"

Many women want boudoir photos and they're very pleased with the results. Is that because they like how they look (whether that's informed by the 'male gaze' culture or not), they are doing it to attract men, they like to see themselves as sexual objects or a mix of all of that plus other unfathomable reasons

I notice that a lot of straight men on here post pictures that directly appeal to other men and are often surprised when this is pointed out to them, *some* men never consider that what appeals to them might not appeal to women 🤷‍♀️. The male perspective on sex and all that goes with it is almost always considered first

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By *heron ShanMan
2 weeks ago

Durham


"You are using the example from a female feminism and how this view a male perspective but yet you ask the female of why they post the picture.

If its based from a male perspective you should ask them if not ask the question from a feminist point of view. If they agree with this.

Otherwise just as a simple question: "As a female for you post picture to garner male.....

If you don't like response then don't pose a question on a forum.

Technically it came from Berger a few years earlier.

Don't forget a lot of the creative directors, editors and decision-makers in arts and media post Hollywood were women.

And it's not simply as you say, do you post picture to garner male, do you create images because society / media taught you what is considered attractive, desirable, or valuable to men. "

Don't get me wrong, I thinks its a very interesting discussion point you raise, bringing into question the idea of women who attract men with their photos, are these influenced by what the women's idea of what attract men, if this has social, media influences or is there something through history on the way society portray female and male sexual desire.

Again, a very interesting question but, for me, using a feminism interpretation of a male perspective as an example I'm having the issue with.

But, this is, by no way a reflection of your discussion points which again, is a interesting question.

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By *eliWoman
2 weeks ago

.


"]

I notice that a lot of straight men on here post pictures that directly appeal to other men and are often surprised when this is pointed out to them, *some* men never consider that what appeals to them might not appeal to women 🤷‍♀️. The male perspective on sex and all that goes with it is almost always considered first "

Yes! This is what I was talking about in my first post. I'm glad someone else can see that.

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
2 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"

Again, a very interesting question but, for me, using a feminism interpretation of a male perspective as an example I'm having the issue with.

"

But I don't think it is, Berger wrote Ways of seeing in 1972 , feminists later built on his research.

He famously said "Men act and women appear. Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at.”

Showed her in the history of Art And later Photography and Hollywood men and women were portrayed visually very differently. That's not feminism it's just analysis of gender in visual Art & media.

If you want to flip it around and ask, can women look at men without reproducing the same kind of Power dynamic think about some of the requests on the forms for the types of shots women want to see. Because believe it or not, I don't worry often wander around in my jeans with them undone just going about my day. And why would I roll my shirt sleeves up? If it's hot, I will put a short sleeve shirt. Don't get me started on reversing my car.....

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By *oxesMan
5 days ago

Southend, Essex


"In feminism it refers to the way that the arts depict women from a male heterosexual perspective, its voyeuristic, objects to be admired for the aesthetic value.

But the phrase was actually coined by Berger, a little earlier in his great book ways of seeing which I’ve just completed! Now I’m going back through over 300 portraits of women I’ve made in the last two months questioning some of the framing and retouching…

What’s this? A phrase you were familiar with? And I guess question for the women? Do you consciously create profile pictures on here to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?"

A lot of the literature quotes Laura mulvey

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
5 days ago

Central

I sense that it's almost impossible to divorce ourselves from its influence, we've been so heavily influenced by it, for so long

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By *rHotNotts OP   Man
4 days ago

Dubai & Nottingham


"I sense that it's almost impossible to divorce ourselves from its influence, we've been so heavily influenced by it, for so long "

No, it's possible. There's a lot of artists and photographers out there actively doing that, and people like Siri Hustvedt are worth reading if you have an interest in that. Her essay called."A woman looking at men looking at women" would be a good start.

Once you're aware of the system that controls you it's actually quite easy to be free from it, if you choose to be. Same with consumerism, image advertising once you understand it.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
4 days ago

Central


"I sense that it's almost impossible to divorce ourselves from its influence, we've been so heavily influenced by it, for so long

No, it's possible. There's a lot of artists and photographers out there actively doing that, and people like Siri Hustvedt are worth reading if you have an interest in that. Her essay called."A woman looking at men looking at women" would be a good start.

Once you're aware of the system that controls you it's actually quite easy to be free from it, if you choose to be. Same with consumerism, image advertising once you understand it."

It's good that we can at least start to reduce its influence.

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By *vmarisaTV/TS
4 days ago

Motherwell


"In feminism it refers to the way that the arts depict women from a male heterosexual perspective, its voyeuristic, objects to be admired for the aesthetic value.

But the phrase was actually coined by Berger, a little earlier in his great book ways of seeing which I’ve just completed! Now I’m going back through over 300 portraits of women I’ve made in the last two months questioning some of the framing and retouching…

What’s this? A phrase you were familiar with? And I guess question for the women? Do you consciously create profile pictures on here to play into the male heterosexual perspective of what a woman should look like?

A lot of the literature quotes Laura mulvey"

If I may OP, I think that this can also be applied to the tvs on fab , especially when a TV is in their initial stages of attracting an admirer, if bisexual one may even dress the way one wished their women sex partners to dress. Although, after nearly 16 years as a TV I realize that I now dress for the fun and the attraction for men who want to have sex with a TV and in some cases for a certain type of woman too, much to my bisexual delight.

Mx 👿

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By *iver78Man
4 days ago

barton upon humber

Gar to many big words for me to understand , but most , not all the pictures women put in here are to attract people , this isent just a fab thing , I look at my FB and half the pics of women I know in there are not like the old Polaroids we used to take ,

People like to be admired , its that simple , you might not post a pic in the hope of getting a shag because of it ,but people will post pictures that show them in best light , which is lovely but a true representation of there appearance its all smoke and mirrors , but we all this

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By *oxesMan
4 days ago

Southend, Essex

The male gaze does not have to be reductive of females. In Scorsese films he uses the male gaze to show to the audience the male protagonist viewing the female love interest to indicate her personality.

From a story perspective it might be a weird choice if the film is written from a perspective of the male protagonist from the female lens however Off Campus series goes against that trend.

Off Campus shows masculinity through the female lens.

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By *amantha_JadeWoman
4 days ago

.

I would hope that my photos appeal to the typical male gaze, as that’s who I want to attract.

I’ll be honest… I enjoy the attention and I’ve took enough photos to know what works for me and what doesn’t. Having said that, I wouldn’t share anything I wasn’t comfortable with just to appeal to men. I share photos that I also like and where I feel I look my best.

I generally consider the male gaze to be more simplistic… like a pin up / glamour model type vibe, where as the female gaze I interpret as being more unique or quirky.

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By *ude LawMan
4 days ago

Harrogate

The male gaze are always fabbing my pics.

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By *attieTV/TS
4 days ago

Nottingham


"The male gaze are always fabbing my pics."

Did you mean the male gays are always gabbing your pics?

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By *attieTV/TS
4 days ago

Nottingham

Yes, I absolutely go out of my way to create photos to post on here that depict what men think a woman SHOULD look like, it is kind of the point seeing as how I'm a bloke in a frock, thankfully there's a small niche of women that appreciate my work too.

Personally I find myself in a tricky position, I'm not actually trying to look like a woman I'm trying to create a persona that depicts the most attractive version of myself (isn't that the point of all the selfies posted on here?) and currently that self relies on all the standard "feminine" clichés of long legs, high heels and lingerie.

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By *attieTV/TS
4 days ago

Nottingham

Yes I do want to be an object admired for its aesthetic appeal.

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By *eralDeviantWoman
3 days ago

Hull

[Removed by poster at 12/08/26 01:30:45]

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By *eralDeviantWoman
3 days ago

Hull

Hmmm not sure i adhere to 'what women should look like' but i certainly consider male gaze, be that for modesty purposes or 'curb appeal'. Its hard not to given i came of age when 'thirst traps' were THE THING. As well as men readily being prepared to share there thoughts invited or not.

When i joined in my late 20s images were more influenced by the feedback, imposed ideas i receieved. I cared slightly more about the image than how i felt in it, seeing it abit like stepping out of my comfort.

But i scrapped that pretty quickly and just began sharing when i felt good. Realising naked woman was the win as there was nothing particularly sexy or arty in how men were speaking to me.

These days its a quick snapshot into single life, what someone might see if we ever shared an experience together.

I took a load of pics on the beach in March, much as they have receieved positive feedback i highly doubt any fab social or meet would actually have been happy sheltering from the wind behind a massive rock, sea dipping and drying in the first warm sun of the year.

I do often consider how it will be viewed before i post now and crop, blur, adjust the pose to avoid some of the crassness. Images are just a record of ever feeling sexy and now more for me.

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